Marijuana Information

JAMA Health Forum -

A major new study published in the journal of the American Medical Association in February 2026 tracked nearly 500,000 teenagers over eight years and found that teens who used cannabis had roughly double the risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders later in life. Emergency room visits among teens for cannabis related treatment rose from around 20-30 per year before 2020 to nearly 600 in 2025 alone.

Link to Summary: Public Health

The Lancet Psychiatry- March 2026

The largest scientific review of its kind found no evidence that cannabis effectively treats anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Thwe top reasons people use it medically, Researchers also warn of serious risk for vulnerable groups, particularly adolescents, those at risk for substance use disorders, and people with psychotic or bipolar disorders.

Read more at NPR

Columbia University - Pediatrics - Dec 2025

Using marijuana just once or twice a month is associated with worse school performance and emotional distress, and near daily user were almost four times as likely to have poor grades.

Link to Study

Effects of Marijuana on Youth

  • Nearly half of Okanogan County 10th graders that use marijuana are at risk of academic failure.  (Source: 2012 Healthy Youth Survey) 
    Link to HYS

  • Regular marijuana users who start using as teens can suffer a drop of 8 IQ points that are never recovered.  (Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) 
    Link to NIDA Article 

  • One in four teens who use marijuana will develop dependence on that or other drugs. Furthermore, marijuana is the most common substance identified by youth in treatment.  (Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, SAMHSA/TEDS) 
    Link to Wa State TEDS Data 2012

  • 97% of heroin and meth addicts using the syringe exchange in Okanogan County name marijuana (over tobacco and alcohol) as the first substance they ever used.  (Source: Okanogan County Public Health)

  • There are only three Liquor Control Board officers assigned to Okanogan, Chelan, and Douglas Counties to enforce recreational marijuana business rules, including ensuring that security measures are in place.  (Source: Washington State Liquor Control Board)

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